Special Olympics: Swabi’s pride bags bronze medal in USA

11-year-old Nayab Bibi participates in 200-metre race

SWABI: Nayab Bibi has achieved the unthinkable. At a young age, the 11-year-old from Swabi has managed to overcome the constraints posed by her disability and won a bronze medal at the Special Olympics held recently in Los Angeles.

“She was always our pride,” her father Samiul Haq told The Express Tribune on Wednesday. “However, now her victory has become a cause for celebration for the entire province.”

Shortly after she was born, Nayab Bibi contracted an illness that paralysed her left hand. However, this did not discourage her from participating in the 200-metre race at the Special Olympics.

“My daughter won a bronze medal in the race,” Haq said. “She also participated in a 100-metre race during the games and came fourth.”

Keep running

According to her father, Nayab Bibi was not particularly interested in her studies and preferred athletics from a very young age. “My daughter’s school provided her with a platform to fulfil her passion,” he said. “She has participated in competitions held in Karachi, Lahore, Sargodha and Islamabad. It was because of her hard work and determination that she was selected to represent Pakistan in Los Angeles.”

A father’s pride

The 11-year-old belongs to a family of farmers in Maneri Payan village of Swabi district. However, Haq has not let poverty overshadow his daughter’s dream. On the contrary, he is enthusiastic about his daughter’s passion. “She will continue her efforts and bring more laurels for the country, he added.”

Under the carpet

Shafiul Haq, Nayab Bibi’s uncle, told The Express Tribune, he was disappointed at the government’s indifference to his niece’s victory.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2015.